RIT Future Entrepreneurs

Austin McChord, Founder and CEO of Datto Inc, started his Keynote address at the RIT Entrepreneurs Conference with two numbers: 2.2 and 100. His presentation described the journey between the numbers: how he graduated from RIT with a 2.2 GPA and started his own company, worth over $100 Million.

The RIT Entrepreneurs Conference is an annual event that focuses on the different parts of the entrepreneur world. The conference includes speakers and workshops in areas such as social media, building an entrepreneurial team, finding your first customer, and funding your venture. The conference ended with the “Shark Tank” - an opportunity for RIT students to pitch their ideas and win funding for future development.

Austin McChord was invited to be the keynote speaker that this years event. Austin was very modest and honest in his presentation, he opened the show by explaining that he was excited to be with us - but was very confused (or surprised) he has been chosen.. considering he did not have the greatest relationship with the university on paper (graduating with a 2.2). Listening to his story it was obvious why RIT invited him to the conference - Austin not only has a great story of success, his presentation style is honest and raw - he did not try to spice up his slides with the standard business jargon, he told the story as it happened and the funny chain of events that resulted. Check out the slide below, a list of the unusual traits he believed lead him to success.

[photo tweeted by Professor Angelis @JohnAngelis]

On behalf of the future RIT entrepreneurs - Thanks for the words of wisdom Austin!

Check out the event conversations by searching #ritentconf on Twitter.